Tricity under security blanket

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 27

A high alert was sounded in the tricity following the terrorist attack in Dinanagar town in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, leading to a massive search operation at public places, including bus stands, railway station and city markets, during which serious security lapses were pointed out by the Chandigarh Police at the railway station.

Over 600 personnel of the Chandigarh Police came out on the road and checked vehicles entering the city from Punjab. A search operation was carried out at the ISBT, Sector 17 and 43, city markets, hospitals, railway station and important establishments, including the Punjab and Haryana High Court, with the help of the force from police stations, anti-sabotage team, sniffer dogs and quick reaction teams of the operations cell.

Sukhchain Singh Gill, SSP, UT, said the “city seal exercise” was conducted between 10 am and 2 pm. “There are around 18 entry points to the city from Punjab where the police were deployed and vehicles checked thoroughly,” the SSP said.

Constables stationed at the entry of each police station in Chandigarh were provided with bullet-proof vests.

The SSP said following the alert, the UT police had decided to deploy two teams (reserves) of the operations cell equipped with AK 47 at night. The Mohali police also launched a search operation in different parts of the district. Security personnel were stationed at the gates of local police stations and the Police Commando Complex, Phase XI. Mohali SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said security had been beefed up, particularly at police posts. “Besides, in liaison with the GRP, the Mohali police had also conducted a check on the railway tracks,” said the SSP. Special teams were deputed at busy markets, local mall, bus stand and near religious places.

“Buses, especially those coming from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and towns adjoining the border areas, are being checked thoroughly,” said the SSP.

Acting swiftly, the Panchkula police also deployed armed policemen outside police stations soon after the terrorist attack in Gurdaspur district. Commissioner of Police OP Singh ordered a thorough checking of all public places. The border with Punjab was sealed and nakas set up.

The police were seen checking vehicles. A thorough search was also made on the Panchkula side of the railway station and passengers’ bags were checked.

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